Beating Blepharitis

You probably haven’t heard of Meibomian Gland Disfunction (MGD) but you are very likely to have suffered from it at some point in your life, particularly if you are over 40 !

It is also known as Blepharitis.

So what are Meibomian glands and what do they do ?

Meibomian glands are glands that are arranged vertically within the eyelid near the lashes.   They can become blocked, resulting in a “pimple” on the inner surface of the eyelid.

Meobiam is a fatty substance, which is spread across the surface of the eye with each blink.  Its main function is to prevent fluid in the eye from evaporating, so when these glands become blocked our eyes dry out leading to that gritty, scratchy feeling and a reddening of the eye.

To unblock these glands and thus restore the optimal balance of the fluids in the eye, a combination of treatments is used.

We provide detailed information  about how the treat this condition at our dry eye clinics at our Wilmslow Practice, as well as stocking a range of products to alleviate symptoms.

As the Meibom is a fat based substance, heat needs to be carefully applied to the eyelid using a specialist Eye Mask. This should be done in conjunction with the application of specific drops to maintain a healthy level of moisture in the eye whilst the Meibomian glands are not functioning optimally. 

It should also be noted that over the counter eye drops do not treat this condition effectively and can often make it worse in the long term.

For further information and advice please visit our Wilmslow Practice or our website at www.jamesdoyleopticians.co.uk/

Look Hot . FeelCool

We are finally starting to enjoy some sunny weather here in Wilmslow, Cheshire, so let’s turn our attention to the stylish accessory that helps to protect our sight…

Sunglasses


Discover the essential reasons to take care of your eyes and protect them from the sun.

1. Each year, 3 million people go blind from prolonged exposure to UV – yet only 1 out of 2 people wear sunglasses.
2. It is possible to burn your eyes, which can contribute to serious eye conditions.
3. One out of every five cataracts may be caused by UV exposure.
4. Maintain a youthful appearance. Sunglasses keep you from squinting, and squinting can increase the wrinkles around your eyes.
5. Avoiding skin cancer. Sunglasses shield you from potential skin cancer of the eyelids.
6. UV is everywhere and is reflected by many surfaces whatever the weather.
7. 88% of the population are sensitive to bright light.
8. Glare contributes to an increased risk of accidents while driving.
9. Looking cool. Do you really need another reason?

Despite all this

• Only one in two people wear sunglasses.
• 70% of children do not wear sunglasses.
• More than 50% of glasses wearers not not have corrective sunglasses.

Here at James Doyle, Opticians in Wilmslow, Cheshire, we believe that you do not have to compromise on style to enjoy all the health benefits of UV protection.

Slip on some shades and say it all in a glance.  Effortless style with maximum sun protection, from iconic designers like, Chanel, Chrome Hearts and Cartier. Classic or current, our sunglass boutique has an unrivalled range to give you year-round style in one jaw-dropping accessory. Our sunglasses are sourced from around the world, just like our optical eyewear, because we insist on a collection that is as unique as it is prestigious. 


What about technical eyewear for intense UV light or extreme sports? Yes, from specialists like Ray Ban, Maui Jim, Adidas and Wimbledon.  Speak to our optical experts who will tell you more about some of the most advanced high-performance sunglass lenses available today.

Drop in. Try them all. Leave excited.

A Sight for Sore Eyes

Do any of these painful eye conditions sound familiar to you?

• Grittiness
• Scratchiness
• Redness
• Excessive tear production
• Soreness or irritation
• Burning
• Tiredness
• Sensitivity to light
• Burning
• Changes in vision

These may be symptoms of an underlying condition called Dry Eye.

They can be varied both in nature and severity and can also vary between different environments and tasks.

Sometimes these symptoms only occur in warm, dry, air conditioned environments or when certain tasks such as reading, using a computer or driving have been undertaken to a significant degree, disappearing once the cause of the problem is removed.  However, sometimes these symptoms persist, even once the trigger has been removed.

Getting an accurate diagnosis can be difficult as many patients do not associate these symptoms with eye dryness.


The good news is that if these symptoms sound familiar, help is available.

Firstly the exact cause of the problem needs to be established.

There is more than one form of Dry Eye.

The eye may not be producing enough tears, or the quality of those tears being produced may be reduced, or a combination of both.

Factors that can affect your tears can include

• Diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and diabetes
• Hormonal Imbalances
• Skin conditions
• Medications
• Increasing age
• Eye and eyelid infections and inflammations

What should I do next ?

Arrange an appointment for a Dry Eye Assessment with you Optician.

Here at James Doyle Opticians, Wilmslow we offer a dedicated specialist evaluation of your Dry Eyes. Your

appointment will involve the following steps

• Taking down your health information and a medical history
• Details of your symptoms and occurrence
• Past treatments you have tried
• Your tear quantity and quality assessment
• Microscopic examination of the front of your eye
• Microscopic examination of your eye lids

At the end of this assessment a treatment plan will be drawn up and discussed with you.  You will be given full instruction on how to obtain the maximum benefit from the treatments being prescribed, which you can easily administer at home and finally a follow up appointment will be arranged to monitor the improvements in your condition.